The hospital Light cast a somber glow on his face, emphasizing his sorrow.
I stood frozen, lips quivering, unable to speak.
Carlos kept his eyes locked on me and whispered, âYour father was badly injured.
The doctor warned us about how bad it was.
But he didnât want you to worry, so he kept it from you.
â
Carlosâ voice shook a bit, and he took a moment before adding, âHeâd been struggling lately, counting down the days until you came back.
He was worried about whatâd happen to the Thorn Edge Pack once he was gone, but mostly, he just wanted to see you one more time.
â
Carlos turned away, unable to find the words to continue.
His words stabbed at my heart, dulling my senses with pain.
Deep down, I resisted accepting it, but I trusted Carlos too much to doubt him.
The truth hit hard, and I felt the urge to run away from it all.
But it was pointless.
No matter what stories I told myself, things stayed the same.
Debra and the baby didnât make it, and neither did my father.
Everyone I cared about was gone.
Tears welled up, clouding my vision.
In that instant, despair took over completely.
A sudden ache shot through me, making it hard to catch my breath as I clutched my chest tightly.
âTheyâre gone.
ALL gone,â I whispered, feeling the weight of despair.
Suddenly, darkness clouded my vision.
My legs turned to jelly, nearly giving out beneath me.
âBe careful!â Carlos swiftly caught me before I fell.
Having seen my distress, he forced me back onto the bed.
âDonât dwell too much, Caleb.
I understand losing your family weighs heavy, but weâre in a critical situation now.
There are bigger tasks at hand.
â
I tried to speak but couldnât find the words.
Grief choked me, stealing my breath away.
Eventually, I snapped out of it.
I bowed my head, hid my face, and let the tears flow.
âCarlos, how can I move on?â
Memories flooded back, weighing heavy on my heart with sadness and reluctance, threatening to overwhelm me.
Trembling, I said with a heavy heart, âMy wife, our unborn child, my father-all lost in the fight between the witches and the Thorn Edge Pack.
But they were innocent.
It shouldnât have ended like this!â
Carlos wore a sorrowful expression.
I could tell he was struggling too.
In a gentle voice, he whispered, âCaleb, itâs not just your family.
Many innocent people have lost their lives.
Every fallen soldier leaves a grieving family behind.
Wives without husbands, children without fathers, elders without sons or grandsons.
Some children are left orphaned, with no one to turn to.
â
He gave my back a comforting pat.
âIn this cruel war, everyone suffers.
My family lost many in the fight to protect our home.
As the alpha, you canât let yourself fall apart.
Youâve got to pull yourself together.
The Thorn Edge Packâs counting on you.
Elena, Dylan, and your mom-they all need you now more than ever.
â